Festival brings it

The spectacle of the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival delights thousands over the weekend

By reporter Katy Sword and news intern Nico Hamacher

Another Newberg Old Fashioned Festival is in the books. Despite intense summer temperatures at times, the thousands that enjoy the annual rite of summer were not to be dissuaded from attending all that makes up the festival.

The Newberg Graphics news staff converged on Memorial Park and the surrounding area to cover the event and returned with these dispatches.

Furry costumed contestants take the stage

With dogs barking and proud owners smiling, the Dog Costume Contest went off without a hitch Thursday as well.

The sun came out as the contestants signed in beside their costumed companions before the event officially began at 7 p.m. at the Renne tennis courts.

Contestants entered their dogs into one of four categories: small, medium/large, most looks like owner, and the festival theme Feelin Groovy.

This is the first year weve (participated), said Stacy Brooks, who attended the event with her two children David and Madison and their dog Baily. The four dressed up in full-body camouflage and won third place in the Most looks like owner category.

The event was adjudicated by three judges who scored each dog depending on the requirements of the category in which they were entered.

Tom Steinhoff, owner of the Puppy Playhouse and one of the judges, said he judged the dogs on the amount of effort the owners put into the presentation. People get really excited and put a lot of effort into (the presentation), he said. Or if the dog has a good story, a lot of the people have a cool story about how they got their dog.

Parade continues to please crowd

Lawn chairs, blankets and canopys lined the parade route Saturday morning, anxiously awaiting the start of the Old Fashioned Festival Grand Parade. Children prepared to snatch candy from the street as floats tossed goodies into the crowd and the hundreds enjoying the early morning sun marveled at the parade itself.

Keri Arata joined many others in expressing the parade as her favorite part of the festival.

Ive been here since `95, Arata said. Its my favorite part.

Even though the locals know the parade isnt an event to be missed, it draws in first-timers every year as well.

My sons helping with one of the floats so we thought wed come out here, said Lynn Wilson from Aloha. With coveted seats on Second Street, Wilson and her family joined in as the cheering began for the police motorcade signaling the start of the parade. Followed by local businesses, candidates for office, even the new George Fox University spirit bell, the parade is always well received and a highlight of the festival.

Indulging in history, pancake feed benefits community

By weekends end, more than 3,000 hungry mouths stop by the Newberg Rotary Pancake Breakfast. With the money funneling right back into the community, its a worthy cause and a great excuse to indulge on all-you-can-eat pancakes.

A Rotary volunteer said they always hope to sell more tickets so the funds can go even further, supporting causes such as scholarships and parks, but theres always a large turnout.

The event stayed busy most of the weekend, open both Saturday and Sunday, with happy faces sharing syrup, passing butter baskets and sitting family style around a line of picnic tables.

Even parade participants made their way to the feed once the route was compete, partaking in a tradition of more than 40 years.

Festival food a crowd-pleaser

Festivals are known for the opportunity to pig out. At the Old Fashioned Festival, the food space may be confined, but it boasted plenty of options. From sweet apple pie fries, to shaved ice, to barbeque and curly fries, theres something to please most. Bur perhaps the most popular are the elephant ears. A fried dough treat covered in cinnamon-sugar, they are a staple of fair food. Fred Fabreth enjoys them so much, he was willing to wait until the fryer was fixed Saturday to partake in the tradition.

Theyre the best around, Fabreth said. Its lined up from (the counter) all the way to the street.

Pinkys, which operated the festival favorite, sells about 1,000 elephant ears a day, and has been doing so for the past 28 years. Theres just nothing quite like them.

Carnival games and rides delight all, reward some

The scene at the festival carnival this weekend was one of happy faces and screaming teenagers.

Carnival barkers could be heard encouraging the crowd to join them in a multitude of games and rides from fishing and ring tosses to a small roller coaster and a merry-go-around.

Young children screaming with delight could be seen proudly showing their newly-won toys and stuffed animals to family members. At least one person took home a life-size stuffed animal tiger.

I think the whole thing, its just so beautiful, said Tomás Martinez, who visited the festival for a fourth year with his family. Its just fun.

The sounds of bike horns honking and children shouting filled the streets during the childrens parade Thursday.

Led by the flashing lights of a Newberg police motorcycle, the procession included a fire truck carrying the Old Fashioned Festival court, the Newberg High School dancers and, of course, many kids.

Its fun to ride around. I wear my clown costume and everybody cheers because Im a clown, said 9-year-old Noah Sher. He peddled the parade route along with friend Tino Russo and threw candy to the spectators lining the streets.

Trina Saager sat with her family near the end of the route. My daughter Elizabeth is riding a scooter, she said. They come to the parade almost every year. The kids love it. Its a tradition.

Food, music and stands entice all at Memorial Park

With the lingering smells of elephant ears, teriyaki chicken and caramel corn, the midway welcomed the festivals attendees to enjoy the food, stands and music at Memorial Park.

Tie-died clothing, jewelry and henna tattoos could be found among the rows and rows of vendors proudly displaying their wares. Long lines extended from many of the food vendors tents.

Despite a more than 10-minute wait, many people lined up to enjoy one of the festivals classic elephant ears.

I havent been here in so long, I decided to come back and see what it was (about), said long-time Newberg resident Dean Tessman, who hadnt attended the festival for a number of years. He said he didnt regret returning and that he was enjoying the event.

Festival addition fares well in second year

At the Brews and BBQ event put on by the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce hundreds of people showed up to enjoy beer and barbeque from five breweries and three local vendors.

Everybodys really happy and everybodys having a great time, said event chairman Francisco Stoller over the sounds of music and loud conversation.

In all, Stoller said that more than 2,000 people attended the Brews and BBQ event for its second year, more than a third more than during last years festival. While the event added an $8 cover charge to this years event, that didnt seem to deter many people.

Its really exceeded expectations this year, its been amazing. Weve had so many people and its been really well received, he said.